Learn directly from nurses and get work experience in hospitals while experiencing life in vibrant Sri Lanka

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Join us on our Nursing internship in Sri Lanka and learn directly from nurses at a hospital. You’ll observe different diseases that you’ve only read about in textbooks, and doctors will teach you how to diagnose and treat them. We’ll also give you the opportunity to learn about traditional medicine.

On this internship, you’ll gain medical work experience that will benefit your future career. You’ll also rotate through different departments, which will help you explore specialisations and your interests.

We organise regular outreaches in rural areas, where you can get practical experience doing health checks. This is important work, as these areas lack access to healthcare services.

You’ll live and work in one of three beautiful locations. We encourage you to immerse yourself in the local way of life and explore all that the country has to offer. Your host family is happy to share their knowledge of their culture and the region.

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Flexi Trips > Sri Lanka > Nursing

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Volunteers / Interns

ChildrenAges 3-14(reduced price)

Children aged 3-14 must be accompanied by at least one adult paying full price

We offer discounts for families and groups of friends travelling together. Call us on 01273 007 230 for more info.

Please note this calculator is for pricing information only. You will need to choose your final dates and duration on our application form.

Personalised MyProjectsAbroad website, with all the information you need about your project, accommodation and destination

A free cultural awareness course

Membership to our volunteer social media groups, to share information and to get in touch

Support to help you complete registration or internship documents, if applicable

What's not included?

Flights

Visa costs (where applicable)

Is a Nursing internship opportunity in Sri Lanka right for me?

This project is open to anyone with an interest in the nursing field. It’s a great way to boost your CV and prepare for a future career in healthcare.

We work hard to tailor our internships towards your interests and requirements, so let us know if you’d like to specialise in a particular area. Otherwise you have the chance to rotate through many different departments for a broader learning experience. However, this is usually dependent on the length of your stay. The longer you are in Sri Lanka, the more departments you can spend time in.

You have your own supervisor for the duration of your placement. They will ensure that you have the chance to learn as much as possible during your time abroad.

While your hospital placement is purely observational, you’ll have the chance to do help provide basic medical care during our regular outreaches.

Please note that you need to be at least 18 years old to do this internship. The programme runs throughout the year, and you can join whenever you want for a minimum of four weeks. We encourage you to stay longer to gain even more nursing work experience in Sri Lanka.

Medical Electives for Students

This project is also perfect for university medical and healthcare elective students. The real-world insight and knowledge you gain will help shape you as a future medical professional. You will also learn to work with different people and get a broader perspective of global healthcare systems and issues. This benefits your career for years to come. We can organise a placement that meets all of your university's requirements.

What will I do on this project?

With a mixture of hospital-based observation work and practical outreach activities, this internship will give you a well-rounded experience. Here are some of the things you can do:

Observe local doctors and nurses at work on their rounds

Assist on community outreaches in disadvantaged areas

Raise awareness about important health issues

Learn about traditional Ayurvedic medicine

Your work will focus on the following areas:

Observe local doctors and nurses at work

By observing local doctors and nurses on their rounds, you’ll learn a great deal about healthcare practice in this developing country. We’ll teach you about the particular illnesses and conditions that occur in this region, as well as how they are diagnosed and treated.

There is also the opportunity to rotate through a range of different departments, or you can choose to specialise.

Assist on community outreaches in rural areas

We run regular medical outreaches at local community centres in disadvantaged areas. You’ll get involved in hands-on work here. This will take place under the supervision of a qualified local doctor. Your tasks include checking vital signs such as blood pressure and sugar levels. You will also help to dispense food and medication to the hundreds of people who attend.

Raise awareness about important health issues

You can also help out with educational campaigns in local schools. Here, you’ll work with other healthcare interns to give presentations and raise awareness about specific healthcare issues. These issues include diabetes, Dengue fever, the importance of good hygiene, and malnutrition.

Learn about traditional Ayurvedic medicine

All of our Nursing interns in Sri Lanka have the option to learn more about traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems. It involves herbal therapies, special diets, and acupuncture, among other treatments. If you want to learn, you can spend time in an Ayurvedic hospital. You’ll help prepare mixtures, care for patients, and take on other daily tasks.

What types of Nursing placements are available in Sri Lanka?

As a Nursing intern, you can choose to rotate through different departments or specialise in a particular area. Here are some of the options:

General medicine

Obstetrics

Maternity

Ear, nose and throat

Paediatrics

Emergency

Gynaecology

If you are a nursing student in your elective year, you can also choose from the following specialties:

Adult nursing

Child nursing

Mental health nursing

Learning disabilities nursing

There is also the option to learn about traditional Ayurvedic medicine. If you are interested, please let us know when you apply. You will be based in a different hospital specifically dedicated to the practice. If you’d like to combine both modern and traditional medicine options, it is possible to do both. For example, you could spend two weeks at a standard hospital, and then two weeks at an Ayurvedic one. It’s a great way to gain invaluable nursing work experience in Sri Lanka.

Where in Sri Lanka will I be working?

Most of our Nursing interns are placed in hospitals in Colombo, Panadura, or Galle. These are all coastal towns, which is a definite plus if you love the beach.

It’s quite easy to travel around Sri Lanka, because they have a fairly extensive and affordable public transport network. You will live with a host family in the town where your internship is based.

Colombo

Situated on the West coast of Sri Lanka, Colombo is the former capital and a popular tourist destination. It boasts a mix of modern amenities and shopping centres alongside colonial architecture, street markets and monuments. This bustling city has something for everyone, so make sure you take the time to explore and soak in the atmosphere.

You will work in one of our partner hospitals located in the southern part of the city. These are easily accessible by public transport.

Galle

Galle is a major city found on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka. Part of it actually forms part of a designated UNESCO heritage site. This is due to its blend of European and South Asian architecture dating back to colonial times, showcasing a wonderfully preserved fortified city. It’s a great place to explore on foot. Stop for lunch at one of the many cafes, visit a museum or two, and buy some souvenirs along the way.

You will gain nursing work experience in a Sri Lankan teaching hospital or in a local private hospital.

Panadura

The town of Panadura is located 27 km from Colombo. You will either work at a hospital dedicated to women’s health or a busy district hospital.

A rather unusual feature of Panadura is that it is surrounded on all sides by water, namely the Indian ocean as well as the Bolgoda lake and river. Known for being the revival town of Buddhism, you should definitely make time to visit the temple Rankoth Viharaya, which is over 200 years old.

AIRPORT PICKUP, FLIGHTS AND VISAS

When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Sri Lanka Arrival Procedures page.

A typical day on the Nursing internship

After enjoying breakfast with your host family, you’ll travel to the hospital where you’ll be working, either by bus or rickshaw. On your first day, our staff will accompany you to show the way.

On this internship, you will work from Monday to Friday. Working hours will vary, but generally you will work from 8.30am - 12.30pm, with a two hour break for lunch. Your afternoon shift will run from 2pm - 4pm.

You will shadow local doctors and nurses on their rounds throughout your day. We also run medical workshops once a month. These workshops are a great way for you to to learn more about healthcare practices in Sri Lanka.They’re run by a local doctor, and focus on common medical issues in the area. This is another opportunity for you to ask questions and get clarification about things you’ve observed at the hospital.

Once a month, you will break away from your regular schedule to take part in a medical outreach. You’ll do practical health checks here.

Once your shift or outreach is over, you’ll have the chance to relax and explore. Go out for dinner with your fellow interns and talk about what you’ve done over a plate of curry. Admire the beautiful architecture, watch a cricket match at a local stadium, and wander through the bustling markets.

What are the aims and impact of this project?

The aim of this project is to provide interns with an educational work experience.

Many of our interns do not have previous medical experience, but are very eager to learn. Our goal is to facilitate the cross-cultural exchange of knowledge. You’ll observe skilled local nurses, while sharing your own experiences. It’s an excellent way to gain insight into healthcare practice in a developing country. You’ll also learn about prevalent diseases in the area, and how they’re diagnosed and treated.

This project also works to benefit the local community. Due to a lack of education or resources, many people die from preventable diseases resulting from poor hygiene practices. Changes in lifestyle and diet mean that non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease are on the rise. You’ll help change this by participating in outreaches and running educational campaigns to raise awareness.

We run regular community outreaches with all our healthcare interns. With your help, we aim to achieve the following in Sri Lanka:

Promote awareness of non-communicable diseases

Improve access to basic healthcare for disadvantaged groups

Improve hygiene standards

Reduce the number of cases of Dengue fever

Whether you’re doing health checks or sharing knowledge about preventing Dengue fever, your work is part of our efforts to help improve healthcare in Sri Lanka.

Management Plans

We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.

Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.

Measuring Our Impact

Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.

Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements. Find out more about the impact our global community of volunteers, interns and staff make, and read the latest report.

Volunteering in this hospital was a great and inspiring experience. As a volunteer, I was welcomed to each ward.

FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION

You'll stay with a host family in or around Colombo. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Sri Lanka and have a truly unique experience.

We will always try to let you live alongside at least one other Projects Abroad volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND FREE TIME

Sri Lanka is well-known for its diverse landscapes. From beaches to tropical jungles, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant country.

The buzzing Pettah Market is a must-see. You can chat to friendly vendors, buy handmade products, and enjoy the electric atmosphere around you. For cultural enrichment, you can spend an afternoon in the National Museum of Colombo. The Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is also a highlight, with its vast collection of artefacts.

The town of Galle is a sea port with a strong Dutch heritage and plenty of old colonial buildings to explore. You can also venture inland to hike in the hills, swim in the cool waterfalls, and visit traditional hill towns.

Sri Lanka's national parks include safari parks where you can spot wildlife like leopards and elephants. Or spend an early morning bird-watching in one of the wetland sanctuaries. There are also rainforest reserves crammed full of tropical biodiversity.

You’ll be sharing this unique experience with many other volunteers. This means you can travel solo or spend your free time with the friends you make during your trip.

SAFETY AND STAFF SUPPORT

Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on-hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.

Meet the team in Sri Lanka

Gishan Perera

Country Director

Gishan became part of the Sri Lankan team in May 2006. Before he joined Projects Abroad, he gained experience in many different fields, such as IT, Agriculture and Travel and Tourism. Gishan took over as the Country Director for Sri Lanka in October 2013, he is a very enthusiastic person who enjoys sharing his knowledge of the Sri Lankan way of life.

Meet the team in Sri Lanka

Aruni Jayawardane

Aruni, a Sri Lankan who is Zambian-born, joined the Projects Abroad team in 2012. Aruni works closely with all Teaching and Care volunteers. She helps with providing useful resources to support the Care & Teaching Management Plans, giving a focus to volunteers' contributions at their placements. She is involved in the planning of the High School Specials and other two-week group trips each year. Aruni spends her leisure time exploring and rediscovering Sri Lanka.

Meet the team in Sri Lanka

Rasmi Ahamed

Assistant Accountant

Rasmi is from a popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka called Arugambay. He studied accounting at the Mercury Institute of Management and joined Projects Abroad in September 2014. Rasmi is a keen sportsman and he often plays cricket for his district. His favourite sports are cricket and football.

Meet the team in Sri Lanka

Amir Jurangpathy

Volunteer Coordinator

Amir is of Indonesian descent, and was born and raised in Sri Lanka. He joined Projects Abroad in June 2016 and is passionate about the welfare of people. Amir is an aspiring chef and enjoys playing cricket and practicing Muay Thai in his spare time.

Meet the team in Sri Lanka

Johann Rebeira

Volunteer Coordinator

Johann was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka and studied a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and mass communication. He joined Projects Abroad in June 2015 after having previously worked for another NGO and humanitarian organisation. Johann is a foodie and is passionate about travel, blogging and photography. During his free time you will find him singing, playing the piano, swimming, attending musical theatre or watching a good game of rugby.

Meet the team in Sri Lanka

Mohamed Niyas

Volunteer Coordinator

Mohamed was born in Hambantota on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Before joining Projects Abroad in June 2016, he worked for the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research. Mohamed enjoys photography, playing volleyball and painting in his spare time.

Meet the team in Sri Lanka

Dinusha Thirimanna

Medical Supervisor

Dinusha studied IT and project management at Ananda College in Sri Lanka. He joined Projects Abroad in the summer of 2015 after having previously worked at a financial services company. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling around Sri Lanka, spending time with friends, swimming, and playing pool and cricket.

Meet the team in Sri Lanka

Yunara Satharasasinghe

Volunteer Coordinator

Yunara studied psychology and counselling through the National University of Ireland, and human resource management at the Institute of Personnel Management in Sri Lanka. She is passionate about drama and theatre, and trained professionally at the Shakespeare Centre in Sri Lanka. Yunara joined Projects Abroad in September 2016 and enjoys working with volunteers from all over the world.

Meet the team in Sri Lanka

Anu Rajapakse

Project Supervisor

Anu graduated with a postgraduate diploma in IT and human rights. She joined Projects Abroad in June 2011 and enjoys interacting with and helping the volunteers. Anu is a creative and energetic person who enjoys a good challenge.

Meet the team in Sri Lanka

Thami Bhakana

Volunteer Advisor

Thami was born in Worcester but has lived in Cape Town for most of her life. She has a degree in tourism management and previously spent time volunteering with disabled children at a home before joining Projects Abroad in February 2016. She loves to explore new places and was grateful that her first trip overseas was the Philippines, one of the world’s most welcoming countries. When travelling, she recommends that everyone go with an open mind and a willingness to embrace their new environment. In her free time, Thami enjoys reading motivational books or novels, watching movies and listening to music.

Meet the team in Sri Lanka

Christelle Beauviche-Shoulder

Volunteer Advisor

Christelle joined Projects Abroad as a Volunteer Advisor in September 2013. Previously, she enjoyed teaching French to children and worked for many years as a Personal Assistant. She studied English Literature and Languages at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Christelle is from France but has also lived in England and in the United States. In her free time, she likes spending time with her family, painting, dancing and hiking.

Meet the team in Sri Lanka

Gabriela Estrada

Volunteer Advisor

Gabriela was born in Guadalajara, she has a degree in Foreign Languages. She has worked as an English teacher and translator for several years and she joined the Projects Abroad team in 2016. She loves spending time with her family and friends, reading, going to concerts and cultural events. Gabriela has had the opportunity to travel through South America and Western Europe.

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